Mounting system for an electronic teaching board

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mounting system ( 1 ) for mounting an electronic teaching board ( 2 ) on a surface, comprising four legs ( 4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D) which are mutually connected such that the position of the electronic teaching board can be adjusted in both horizontal and vertical direction and arresting means for locking the electronic teaching board in the adjusted position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a mounting system for mounting an electronicteaching board on a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic teaching boards, also referred to as digital blackboards ordigiboards for short, are increasingly being applied in education and inother places where people work together, such as offices. An electronicteaching board is an interactive teaching board connected to a computerwith associated control software. Diverse operations can be carried outon the electronic teaching board. As with a standard blackboard, usuallya chalkboard, instructions can be written thereon manually and can nowbe digitally stored using the computer. In addition, computer images canbe shown thereon.

An example of a commonly used type of electronic teaching board is anelectronic whiteboard. The electronic whiteboard co-acts with a videoprojector (also referred to as a beamer) with which the images,including presentations, internet pages, films and so on can be shown onthe electronic whiteboard.

In the present situation these electronic whiteboards are generallymounted fixedly on the wall at the front of the classroom. The projectoris fixed to the ceiling or on a wall bracket. In a number of cases theelectronic whiteboards are height-adjustable, the projector thenco-displacing on an arm. The existing chalkboard is usually removed; atraditional whiteboard is often also mounted to enable writing ofannotations to be kept for longer.

EP 1785064 describes an example of a mounting system for mounting anelectronic teaching board on a surface, wherein the position of theelectronic teaching board is height-adjustable.

Owing to the arrangement of the electronic teaching board at the frontall students are greatly involved in the presentation on the board. In anumber of cases this is desirable, in other cases it is better if theattention of the whole class is not directed at the digiboard, forinstance if the instruction or presentation is intended for only onegroup in a combined class or if instruction is being given to arelatively small group of students who are having problems with thesubject matter or who, on the contrary, are engaged in more in-depth oradvanced study. Students to whom the presented material is of nointerest may be distracted by it.

In recent years education has become increasingly adaptive: this meansthat differences between students are taken into account. Inherent tothis are working in groups, processing subject matter independently,researching, optionally together with others. In addition, a teacherincreasingly gives instruction to groups of students, or he/she actsincreasingly as a coach/mentor.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With the arrival of electronic teaching boards, education is at risk ofonce again becoming more frontal, and thereby possibly even moreclassical. The achievements of adaptive education are in danger of beingpartially lost.

There is therefore a need for a mounting system which makes it possiblefor the electronic teaching board to be used by or for smaller groups ofstudents without the rest of the class thereby being too greatlydistracted.

In order to meet this need the invention provides a mounting system formounting an electronic teaching board on a surface, comprising four legswhich are connected for mutual pivoting, first fixing means for fixingthe electronic teaching board to one or more of the legs, second fixingmeans for fixing at least one of the legs to the surface, wherein themounting system is adapted such that the position of the electronicteaching board relative to the surface can be adjusted in bothhorizontal and vertical direction, which mounting system furthercomprises arresting means for arresting the electronic teaching board inthe adjusted position, wherein the first fixing means are adapted forrotatable fixing of the electronic teaching board to one of the legsand/or wherein one of the legs is adapted for rotatable fixing to thesurface.

Using the mounting system according to the invention the position of theelectronic teaching board can be adjusted such that it can be viewedfrom any desired position in a classroom. The viewing angle can beoptimally adjusted through rotation of the electronic teaching board, asa result of which the flexibility of the mounting system according tothe invention is increased still further. The rotatable fixing to thesurface, such as a wall or a pillar, in a classroom increases stillfurther the flexibility and the number of adjustment options, andthereby the viewing angle. When it is not in use the electronic teachingboard can moreover be set to a ‘folded-away’ position, for instance flatagainst the wall. This creates the possibility of not only using theelectronic teaching board with mounting system according to theinvention as an alternative to an existing chalkboard, but also ofoptionally mounting it adjacently thereof as an addition thereto.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the four legs are connectedin mutually pivotable manner to form a parallelogram. A parallelogramprovides great flexibility for adjusting the position of the electronicteaching board and, in addition, sufficient strength for the intendedapplication of mounting an electronic teaching board.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the arresting meanscomprise first rotation arresting means for arresting an adjustedrotational position of the electronic teaching board. The electronicteaching board can be locked prior to use in its set rotational positionby means of the rotation arresting means.

According to a further development of this preferred embodiment, thearresting means comprise second rotation arresting means for arrestingan adjusted rotational position of the rotatable leg. The mountingsystem can be locked in the adjusted, for instance ‘folded-away’position by means of the rotation arresting means.

According to a very advantageous preferred embodiment, the first and/orsecond rotation arresting means are adapted to engage clampingly on arotation shaft such that the rotation arresting means allow setting of arotational position and, once it has been set, lock a rotationalposition against rotation of its own accord. Such rotation arrestingmeans provide an increased convenience of use. This is because it is notnecessary to actuate or adjust them time and again. The desired degreeof arrest is adjusted once during installation of the mounting systemaccording to the invention, after which any desired position of theelectronic teaching board can be adjusted and, once set, is immediatelylocked against undesired movement.

According to a practical embodiment, the first and/or second rotationarresting means comprise a holder for passage of the rotation shaft,which holder is covered on the inner side with friction material and isprovided with adjusting means for setting the degree of clamping of theholder. A holder with friction material is a practical and reliableembodiment for the desired function of the rotation arresting means.According to a further elegant embodiment, the leg for fixing of theelectronic teaching board and/or the rotatable leg take an at leastpartially hollow form for the purpose of receiving a rotation shaft, andthe first and/or second rotation arresting means are arranged on therespective leg.

According to another preferred embodiment, the arresting means compriseheight arresting means for arresting an adjusted height position of theelectronic teaching board, which height arresting means extend betweentwo of the legs. The set height position can be locked in reliablemanner by means of the height arresting means. According to a preferredembodiment, the height arresting means comprise a linear actuator. Alinear actuator provides a reliable and affordable embodiment of theheight arresting means.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the electronic teachingboard is an electronic whiteboard, and the mounting system according tothe invention is also adapted for mounting of a projector for co-actionwith the electronic whiteboard. In this embodiment the mounting systemaccording to the invention is adapted for use with an electronicwhiteboard. Electronic whiteboards are currently the most commonelectronic teaching boards in education.

According to a practical embodiment of the mounting system according tothe invention, the leg for fixing of the electronic teaching boardconsists of two parts lying substantially mutually in line, wherein atleast one of the parts is intended for passage of a part of a supportfor the projector. In this embodiment the mounting system takes anextremely compact form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a first preferred embodiment of a mounting systemaccording to the invention with an electronic teaching board therein;FIG. 1B shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1C shows adetail of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 1D shows an alternative to the rotation arresting means of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1 E shows a second preferred embodiment of a mounting systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a third preferred embodiment of the mounting systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the mounting systemaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B illustrate the alternative rotation arresting meansof FIG. 3 in more detail;

FIG. 6 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the mounting systemaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a number of possible positions of use of the mountingsystem according to the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first preferred embodiment of mounting system 1according to the invention. Mounting system 1 is intended for mountingan electronic teaching board 2 on a surface, for instance a wall or apillar (see FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7). Shown as an example of an electronicteaching board is an electronic whiteboard, which will be referred tosimply as ‘board’ in the following description.

Mounting system 1 comprises four legs 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D which aremutually connected for pivoting by means of pivot points S. Theresulting pivotable structure is referred to here as a ‘parallelogram’.In the shown preferred embodiment the parallelogram can be fixed in theshown position to a surface (not shown). Legs 4A and 4B extendsubstantially parallel to each other in a generally horizontaldirection. Legs 4C and 4D likewise extend substantially parallel to eachother in a generally vertical direction. In the shown preferredembodiment the means for fixing mounting system 1 to the surfacecomprise two wall supports 24 which are mounted on leg 4D. Leg 4D isrotatable relative to wall supports 24. This is achieved in that leg 4Dforms a hollow outer casing which is mounted for rotation round atubular element 24D, which is in turn attached fixed to wall supports24. Tubular element 24D functions as rotation shaft.

In the shown preferred embodiment the pivotable character of mountingsystem 1 enables a height adjustment. The set position of the four legsrelative to each other can be locked using height arresting means. Inthe shown preferred embodiment the height arresting means preferablycomprise a linear actuator 5. In the shown preferred embodiment thislinear actuator 5 extends between leg 4A and leg 4D.

Mounting system 1 also comprises means for fixing board 2 to one or moreof the legs. In this example board 2 is fixed in this shown preferredembodiment to leg 4C by means of a frame 30. Frame 30 is generallyH-shaped and can consist of one or more parts. Fixing means 30 of board2 are adapted for rotatable mounting relative to one of the legs, inthis example leg 4C. Leg 4C forms a hollow outer casing 34. In the shownpreferred embodiment the hollow outer casing consists of two bushes 34Aand 34B. Bush 34A is connected pivotally to leg 4A and bush 348 isconnected pivotally to leg 4B. Extending through bushes 34A and 346 is asecond tubular member 31 which is rotatable relative to bushes 34A and34B. The second tubular member 31 functions as rotation shaft. Frame 30is attached fixedly to the rotatable tubular member 31 by means offixing elements 32.

Mounting system 1 is provided with first and second rotation arrestingmeans. The first rotation arresting means are adapted to arrestrotatable leg 4D relative to the surface. These first rotation arrestingmeans are shown in more detail in FIG. 1C. The second rotation arrestingmeans are adapted to arrest/lock frame 30 relative to leg 4C. Both thefirst and the second rotation arresting means are adapted to engageclampingly round tubular member 24D, 31 respectively. The rotationarresting means comprise a holder 26 which is covered on the inner sidewith friction material 36. Holder 26 clamps round tubular member 24D.The degree of clamping can be set by means of an adjusting screw 46.Holder 26 is fixedly connected to outer casing 4D. The second rotationarresting means are likewise generally designated with 6 and alsocomprise a holder 26 with friction material 36 and adjusting screw 46.Holder 26 is now attached fixedly to bush 34A. This fixing is similar tothe fixing to 24D as shown in FIG. 1C. The friction material ispreferably chosen such that it allows rotation of tubular member 24D, 31respectively and simultaneously locks the set rotation position. Varioussuitable types of friction material which meet these requirements areknown in the field. Several non-limitative examples are: plastic, suchas high-molecular polyethylene (HMPE), Teflon or synthetic rubber, andnatural rubber.

In the shown preferred embodiment mounting system 1 is intended for aboard which is an electronic whiteboard. A mounting support 3 is addedfor the associated projector 30. Support 3 is situated on a tubularmember 33 which can preferably slide into tube 31.

FIG. 1D shows an alternative to the first and second rotation arrestingmeans of FIG. 1C.

The only difference between the alternative first rotation arrestingmeans of FIG. 1D relative to those of FIG. 1C is that holder 26 nowclamps on leg 4D and is attached fixedly to wall support 24, which isfixedly connected to tubular member 24D.

Alternative second rotation arresting means (see FIG. 1 E) can beembodied in similar manner. Holder 26 is then connected fixedly to oneof the fixing elements 32, which are connected fixedly to tubular member31 of leg 4C, and then clamps on bush 34A and/or bush 34B. This fixingis similar to the fixing to 4D as shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1 E shows a second preferred embodiment of mounting system 1. Thesecond preferred embodiment differs from the first in respect of theheight arresting means, wherein a damper 47 is now added to actuator 5in order to damp particularly the downward movement. Damper 47 can forinstance be a gas spring. The alternative rotation arresting means ofFIG. 1D are also incorporated herein.

FIG. 2 shows a third preferred embodiment of mounting system 1, which isfixed to wall 100. The third preferred embodiment differs from the firstin respect of the height arresting means, which are now embodied as aspring 7, for instance a gas spring. Because the weight of mountingsystem 1 itself and that of board 2 and projector 3 must be compensated,it is possible to use an adjustable spring or to make the point ofengagement of spring 7 displaceable.

FIG. 3 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of mounting system 1, whichis fixed to wall 100. The fourth preferred embodiment differs from thefirst preferred embodiment in respect of the embodiment of the rotationarresting means. The rotation arresting means comprise an alternativearresting device 13, but without operating means. The inner side of afork-like element 14, which clamps on the tube, is covered with frictionmaterial. A pull rod 16 ensures that arresting device 13B on the wallside is released simultaneously with arresting device 13A on theoperating side.

FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B illustrate the alternative rotation arresting meansof FIG. 3 in more detail.

Depending on the desired friction on the points of rotation, it can alsosuffice for a good operation to provide for sufficient friction on thetube: with arrest 13 or with a clamping ring 6 with suitable brakelining or rubber. In this case FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B are not relevant.

A mechanical operation of arresting device 13 is elaborated in FIG. 4.Arresting device 13B on the wall side is co-displaced from the frontoperating means using a pull rod 16. Electromagnetic operation isotherwise also an option.

Three versions are shown; FIG. 4 shows at top right the direction inwhich the forces are exerted during operation according to system A, Band C respectively. System A is the simplest, but imparts a movement inthe direction of the leg of mounting system 1: this seems unnatural tothe user. Systems B and C have also been developed for this reason. Inthese cases the point of rotation of the operating means is situatedbehind board 2. An eccentric point of rotation ensures that,irrespective of the position of the digital board, the force istransferred to arresting device 13 by a sliding sleeve 18. Pressure pin19-1 or pressure ring 19-2 transfers the force to sliding sleeve 18. Aball can be added at 19-1 or a bearing at 19-2 to allow smoother runningthereof. The operation of eccentric 20 is possible in different ways,wherein the forces are at right angles to the digital board in system Band parallel to the digital board in system C.

Operating system B of FIG. 4 is further developed in FIG. 5A.

A flattened part 20-1 of operating rod 21-1 is tilted so that pressurepin 19-1, and thereby also sliding sleeve 18, are pressed upward.

Operating system C of FIG. 4 is developed further in FIG. 5B.

This system makes use of a swing arm 21-2 to operate eccentric 20-2.This can hereby be moved up or downward with one hand, wherein arrestingdevice 13 is released. The digital board can be positioned moreaccurately when operated with two hands.

Parts of the operating systems B and C can be combined with each other.A small tray in or on the bracket provides space for the digital pen.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth preferred embodiment which differs from the firstpreferred embodiment in respect of the height arresting means.Alternative height arresting means provided with a cable construction 8,9, 10, 11 with a counterweight 12 are applied herein. The structure canbe made weight-neutral by modifying the weight and/or displacingattachment point 11 of cable 10.

In this case an adjustable friction (for instance a tightening screwwith spring at point B) can be made in one of the pivot points, so thatthe digital board remains in place in more stable manner and smallerdifferences in force are compensated.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a number of the many positions in whichdigital board 2 can be used with this mounting system 1. Students alwayswatch from the side of projector 3 and, depending on the arrangement,this can be the whole class or a part thereof.

By placing the fixing on the wall side on a spacing support or pillar22, the whole 1, 2, 3 can be mounted close to an existing teaching board23. In the drawing the right-hand side board is removed herefrom (thelight in classrooms generally enters from the left, so it is better toplace the digital board on the right-hand side).

Arranging a fixed, writable whiteboard behind or adjacently of the whole1, 2, 3 is of course also possible.

Summarizing, the invention provides a mounting system which makes itpossible to use a digital board in different positions. Use is made forthis purpose of a rotatable parallelogram structure behind the board,with rotation points close to the board and close to the fixing on thewall. The rotation points are provided with an arrestable friction sothat the board remains in place in any position. The parallelogramstructure can pivot up and downward so that the board isheight-adjustable. The length of the legs is equal to roughly half thewidth of the digital board. A linear motor (actuator), a springconstruction and/or counterweight is used to displace the board up anddownward and to compensate the weight of the board, the projector andthe own weight thereof.

Owing to the height adjustment the full height of the board can be usedoptimally, and the board can moreover be used by children or people infor instance a wheelchair.

If desired, the wall supports can be extended or be placed on a pillarso that the structure can pivot adjacently of an existing blackboard,for instance at the position of the current right-hand side board. Inthis case the current chalkboard need not be removed.

Finally, the invention is expressly not limited to the described andshown embodiments, but also expressly includes all possible combinationsthereof.

The mounting system according to the invention is generally suitable formounting digital teaching boards and is described for application withan electronic whiteboard. It will be apparent that the mounting systemaccording to the invention is however also suitable for mounting othertypes of digital teaching board, including touch screens such as LCD orplasma screens, in addition to screens operating with othertechnologies, such as infrared and ultrasonic technologies.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mounting system (1) for adjustablymounting an electronic teaching board (2) on a surface, wherein themounting system is adapted such that the position of the electronicteaching board relative to the surface can be adjusted in bothhorizontal and vertical direction, said mounting system comprising fourlegs (4A, 4B, 4C and 4D) wherein the four legs (4A, 4B, 4C and 4D) areconnected in mutually pivotable manner to form a parallelogram, firstfixing means (30) for fixing the electronic teaching board to a firstone of the legs (4C) such that the electronic teaching board extendsparallel to the first leg (4C), wherein the first fixing means comprisea frame (30) attached fixedly to a tubular member (31), second fixingmeans (24) for fixing at least a second one of the legs (4D) to thesurface, such that the second leg (4D) extends parallel to the surface,said second leg (4D) extending substantially parallel to the first leg(4C), wherein the second fixing means comprise two wall supports (24)and a tubular element (24D) attached to the wall supports, wherein thefirst fixing means (30) are adapted for rotatable fixing of theelectronic teaching board to the first leg (4C) and wherein the secondfixing means (24) are adapted for rotatable fixing of the second leg(4D) to the surface, which mounting system further comprises arrestingmeans for arresting the electronic teaching board in the adjustedposition, wherein the arresting means comprise first rotation arrestingmeans for arresting an adjusted rotational position of the electronicteaching board by arresting the first fixing means (30) relative to thefirst leg (4C), wherein the arresting means comprise second rotationarresting means for arresting an adjusted rotational position of therotatable second leg (4D) relative to the second fixing means (24),wherein the first leg (4C) for fixing of the electronic teaching boardtakes an at least partially hollow form for the purpose of receiving afirst rotation shaft formed by the tubular member (31) and the rotatablesecond leg (4D) takes an at least partially hollow form for the purposeof receiving a second rotation shaft formed by the tubular element(24D), and wherein the at least one of the rotation arresting means arearranged on the respective leg and are adapted to engage clampingly on arotation shaft such that the rotation arresting means selectively locksagainst rotation.
 2. A mounting system (1) as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first and second rotation arresting means comprise a holder(26) for passage of the rotation shaft (31 respectively 24D), whichholder is covered on the inner side with friction material (36) and isprovided with adjusting means for setting the degree of clamping of theholder.
 3. A mounting system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein thearresting means comprise height arresting means for arresting anadjusted height position of the electronic teaching board, which heightarresting means extend between two of the legs (4A, 4D).
 4. A mountingsystem (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the height arresting meanscomprise a linear actuator (5).
 5. A mounting system (1) as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the electronic teaching board is an electronicwhiteboard, and wherein the mounting system is also adapted for mountingof a projector for co-action with the electronic whiteboard (2).
 6. Amounting system (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the leg (4C) forfixing of the electronic teaching board consists of two parts (34A and34B) lying substantially mutually in line, wherein at least one of theparts is intended for passage of a part of a support (3) for theprojector.